Many industry critics had already been wondering when the alt-rock which took over the air-waves in the Nineties would finally get filed under the 'Classic Rock' heading quietly for a while now. The timing seems to be about right – there have been about two decades lapsed since alt-rock and grunge exploded and helped to usher in a new era of rock values – and looking at the list of headliners confirmed to play the Rock On The Range music festival this year removes all doubt; the shift in values when alt-rock becomes classic rock is now. This year, a who's who of bands which once played Lollapalooza and Woodstocks 2 and 3 including Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Korn, Bush, Stone Sour, Three Days Grace, Papa Roach and Cheap Trick will all descend on Columbus, OH to play the Rock On The Range stage during a festival – which has been expanded to span over three days. Fans will certainly be excited at this news, but the bands appearing this year also seem to be pretty stoked, judging by the quotes that some of the performers have offered:
“We're really looking forward to returning to Rock On The Range with a batch of brand new killer Alice tunes to play for everyone!” says Jerry Cantrell, Alice In Chains.
“Head is back!!,” declares Korn’s Jonathan Davis. “Rock On The Range is going to start it all off!! Get ready, we are going to hit it hard!!”
“Bush are thrilled to be playing Rock On The Range with such great bands,” says Bush’s Gavin Rosdale. “We look forward to seeing you all out there.”
“This massive lineup has scratched our seven-year itch!” says Gary Spivack, co-executive producer of the event for Right Arm Entertainment. “Getting Soundgarden for their first Ohio play in two decades and having seminal acts Alice In Chains, Korn, Volbeat and Papa Roach return along with bands new to ROTR that include Smashing Pumpkins and Bush, and everything in between – the spectrum of rock n roll is covered… three days of constant energy. Rock On The Range is truly where rock lives.”
Now in its seventh year, ROTR will again take place at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH on Friday, May 17, Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, 2013. With the addition of a full slate of artists performing on Friday, festival organizers are also adding a series of additional enhancements for ROTR 2013, including the new ROTR Comedy Tent.
It sounds really exciting right? We think so too but but we at Ground Control have to chuckle as we watch the same events unfold again, and wonder how old we must be that event promoters are clearly beginning to cater to our age demographic once again. On the other hand, we could just stop over-thinking it and get excited for what promises to be a really, really good show!
Event:
Pre-sale tickets are available at www.RockOnTheRange.com . Tickets go on-sale to the general public Friday, February 1 at 10am ET. Rock On The Range is offering premiere VIP Packages, Hotel and Ticket Bundles and Camping packages. Details and prices for VIP, Hotel, and Camping packages online at www.RockOnTheRange.com . Visit website, www.facebook.com/rockontherange, www.twitter.com/rockontherange for the most up-to-date information.